You knew Joe was feeling hurt and neglected as he slowly sat down in a chair. You called for Ina and Tia who came running before gulping at the sour look on Joe's face. "Sit down." Flatly, mom said. "We need to have a talk."
"We didn't do it." In unison, they protested.
"Joe's friend was hurt by magic." Softly, you explained. "He needs to know the truth."
"All we did was..." Started Tia.
Ina nudged her with an elbow, causing mom to frown. "Fix it before I or worse Joe sees it." Serious, mom warned. "I will not protect you this time."
Ina and Tia both gulped then waved their hands towards Joe's bedroom before giving a nervous smile, proving they had fixed whatever mischief they had in mind. Mom nodded, satisfied then turned to Joe who was more than a little rattled at this point. "All of the girls in this family are witches with the power of magic, Joe." Calmly, she explained. She summoned a flame to her hand, as did Ina, Tia, and you.
Joe screamed slightly, looking as if he wanted to flee but you sensed mom was holding him in place; he needed to hear this. "Every witch specializes in one or more types of magic." Mom continued. "Ina and Tia specialize in teleportation magic; they can move things from one place to another without touching them."
Joe gulped. "And you..." Timidly, he asked.
"I specialize in combat magic and Gina here specializes in..."
"Healing magic." Jumping in, you said. "We are not like the witches you read in novels or see on television, far from it."
"We are, however, a very secretive group." Serious, mom said. "I am guessing your friend accidentally walked in on a witch meeting and was hit with a babbling spell to keep him from talking about what he might have seen." Seeing Joe's face harden, she added, "It's harmless but they could have done far worse, Joe."
"What about the boys in this family?" Shaken, Joe demanded. "Dad seemed to be quite the authority figure on the phone just then."
"The boys in this family, including you, are mad scientists, Joe." Frowning, you explained. "Dad is the current head mad scientist..."
"That makes you the heir to the throne." Bluntly, Ina said.
"I think you'd be cuter as a girl and a witch though." Smiling, Tia added.
You threw your little sisters a dirty look then turned back to Joe. "Yes, you are supposed to be the next head mad scientist after dad, so long as nothing changes that."
"I want to be a gymnast." Pouting, Joe said. "Where did all of this come from?"
"You can still be whatever your heart desires, Joe." Cooing, mom said. "Head mad scientist is a title, like a king, with its perks and responsibilities."
"What did Gina mean by 'so long as nothing changes that'?" Wincing, Joe asked.
"Well, I am your mother." Simply, mom replied. "That said, being a witch, you have magic within you as well as chaotic energy."
You saw Joe slowly shaking his head; mom was completely losing him with her explanation. "What mom is trying to say is that you are at the age where you could go either way." Chiming in, you said. "You could stay a boy and become a mad scientist or you could turn into a girl without anyone doing anything to you and become a witch."
"This, of course, could happen to any one of your siblings as both powers are within them but you are at the most risk of changing." Flatly, mom said. "The reason for that due to your father being mostly absent in your upbringing..."
She stopped there and you sensed that she did not want to make dad the 'bad guy' in this case. Only Joe had already made the connection on his own and began to tear up. "It's because you had to pretty much raise us yourself, is that it?" Tearfully, he asked. "I don't remember you ever treating me like a daughter..."
"And I never will so long as you are my son." Serious, mom replied. "It's because you were surrounded by magic all your life, not that you were aware of it. Had dad been around more, you would have a better chance."
"Am I going to change?" Near tears, Joe asked.
"Right now, no." Serious, mom replied. "However, if certain conditions are met..."
Mom never finished her sentence. Joe had fainted.
You sighed seeing him slumped onto the table. "We better get him to bed."
"Why did he faint?" Confused, Ina asked. "It's not that scary, being a girl."
"You two ran throughout the house screaming in terror when you were told." Bemused, mom reminded her. "Joe merely fainted." Both Ina and Tia pouted in response.
You were waiting at Joe's bedside when he eventually woke up. You gave him a weak smile as he caught your eye. "Morning, sleepy head." Teasing slightly, you said. You then sighed, turning serious. "I suppose it was a lot to take in; I fainted too when I learned the truth."
Joe moaned and moved the covers aside to sit up. Only he suddenly screamed and you sighed, shaking your head as you saw...
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author
